Headway Health - Clinical and Consulting Psychology Services

14/05/2025

Lifeline provides a range of invaluable services for those who need to talk to someone, those struggling at some point in their lives, as well as those who have lost someone. New online chat services are helping with access for younger clients, and support operates 24/7. Lifeline is a charity and of course needs funding to continue to offer services and provide more – they are organising a push-up challenge next month – so you can get stronger and do good! Take a look if you think you can help: https://pages.lifelinedirect.org.au/pushupchallenge

And please plug in “Lifeline 13 11 14” into your phone so it’s always on hand.

Australia’s largest fitness-based mental health event is back and we’re calling on individuals and teams to step up and push for change. From June 4–26, thousands of Australians—of all ages and abilities—will come together to complete 3,214 push-ups over 23 days, raising awareness for ment...

07/05/2025

What is mindfulness? How do I step towards incorporating mindfulness into my life?

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on one thing at a time, with awareness and acceptance, and without judgement. Research has shown that practicing mindfulness regularly can have a range of positive outcomes including improved concentration, emotional wellbeing and sleep, and can help reduce anxiety and stress among a myriad of other benefits.

If you are wanting to explore incorporating the practice into your life, please these ideas to explore mindfulness and learn different skills:

This Way Up – is an online program run by the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) at St Vincent’s Hospital and provide a free, self-paced mindfulness program: https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/mindfulness-program/
The Black Dog Institute offer free resources and tips: Mindfulness and meditation - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
The following phone APPs include a variety of mindfulness exercises (some are free or require a fee) so explore what works for you: Calm; Smiling Mind; Headspace; Insight Timer; Balance; iBreath.

Learn simple mindfulness strategies for managing stress and boosting your wellbeing with our practical and free online program.

09/04/2025

Cancer can be an isolating experience and the Cancer Support Centre at Wahroonga opens its doors to anyone affected by cancer.

Clinical Psychology Pallavi Pillay now offers services through HeadwayHealth to compliment the wide range of services available for patients, family members, and friends. Whether you’re facing challenges related to breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer bowel cancer, gynaecological cancer, lung/respiratory cancer, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic breast cancer, support groups are available. Theres also workshops like "Look Good Feel Better," exercise classes, yoga sessions, mindfulness practices, and even a crochet circle and cooking class!. Support services may not be something you have considered before, but trying things ‘outside of the square’ and seeking supportive environments can be helpful when facing new and challenging situations. To book an appointment with Pallavi contact us at HeadwayHealth on 02 9453 3027 or to find out more about all the services at the Centre please call (02) 9480 9061 or email cancersupport@sah.org.au.

25/03/2025

Grief Australia offers a wealth of free resources to help individuals understand the wide range of responses we may experience while grieving. These responses include not only emotional changes but also shifts in cognitive capacity, the ability to manage various aspects of life, sleep patterns, and physical wellbeing. Their latest resource, “Navigating Grief with Kindness,” emphasizes the importance of incorporating self-compassion as a companion during grief, as grief can reshape how we view ourselves alongside having to navigate diverse emotional responses that may arise.

13/03/2025

Ask the Experts
Hear from some of the world’s leading breast cancer researchers through our free, online, and live Q&A events.

Wednesday 19 March from 5-6:30 pm (AEDT).

Moderated by author and journalist, Annabel Crabb, our panel will feature Professor Bruce Mann, Professor Fran Boyle AM, Ms Leslie Gilham and Dr Stephen Luen, who will discuss key research areas and updates on treatment optimisation, immunotherapy, metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer in young women and genomic testing.

11/03/2025

It’s all about Peter here…as we are celebrating Peter now has full registration with AHPRA and his Medicare Provider number as a Consulting Psychologist having recently graduated from his Master of Clinical Psychology studies (https://headwayhealth.com.au/our-team/peter/). This will help his clients access appointments and Medicare rebates towards the fee so talk to your GP about a referral and Mental Health Care Plan.

We know it can feel very awkward talking to someone outside of your family and friends, and some men may feel more comfortable talking to another male - especially someone with few clicks on the clock! He gets this, and will work together with you on tools and interventions that suit your approach to life.

We are happy to be able to offer a choice of clinicians with appointment available for new patients at the moment, so do contact us on (02) 9453 3027 or info@headwayhealth.com.au.

Peter FitzGerald MAPS
Consulting Psychologist
CA, BEcon, BPsychSc(Hons)

22/01/2025

THIS WAY UP is promoting its free wellbeing programs – and the ones on Stress Management, Insomnia, Mindfulness, and Student Wellbeing are free. They can be used to add to your therapy or for exploring new skills … they also have “take at test’ which asks you lots of questions about how you are traveling to help work out what program maybe most helpful - take a look: Online Coping Guides and Resources Coping Guides THIS WAY UP https://thiswayup.org.au/coping-guides/

16/01/2025

If you haven’t heard of ReachOut (au.reachout.com) take a look – there’s an array of resources and supports for young people, parents and schools, and useful and extensive list of professionally-reviewed mobile apps and tools to support our health and wellbeing: https://au.reachout.com/tools-and-apps. ReachOut also offers free online chat with peer workers for young people (16-25 years) to help them express themselves, get perspective on what's happening in their life, and get help with challenges they may be facing – it’s a really easy way to access mental health support.

17/12/2024

Canteen will continue to offer its CANTEEN CONNECT program over Christmas via CHAT while the main office is closed. “Canteen Connect is set up for your experience, your way. Canteen's free cancer support and online community for young people gives you the chance to connect with others who understand what you're going through 24/7. Chat with a counsellor, meet new friends at our online social events, or simply connect from the comfort of your couch.”
Take a look at all the resources that could help someone close to you:

11/12/2024

Living with breast cancer can be tough, and there’s an online resource for those with advanced or metastatic disease through a Flinders University and NSWCC tool “Finding My Way - Advanced” – if you think it may be of help take a look: Welcome - Finding my Way Advanced

Finding My Way-Advanced is an internet-based program that provides convenient, user friendly information and strategies to help you live well with metastatic breast cancer.

11/12/2024

Our psychologists at HeadwayHealth provide evidence-based psychological interventions to assist with getting a good night’s sleep. There also free online support programs available through THIS WAY UP which provides a number of programs to help with a range of common concerns that can impact our daily wellbeing – take a look… FREE Insomnia Treatment Program| THIS WAY UP We all know the value of a good nights sleep!

Sleep effort – the more you try, the worse it can get. Here's how to get a good night's sleep, no counting sheep needed.

19/11/2024

There are options for support with menopausal changes…

The impact of hormonal changes and menopausal symptoms may be different for every woman – but may include poor sleep, fatigue, and emotional changes to name a few. Some woman may find themselves managing these changes as a result of cancer treatments, or find themselves no longer able to use hormone therapies at a time of great stress. The impact of these changes can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being, so its important to discuss care options with your GP, cancer doctors/care team, and specialist menopause services.

For those without the option of hormone therapies or seeking a holistic treatment approach, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) strategies offer another option. CBT has been found in research to help with menopausal symptoms and provide both short and long term benefits (Ref). Psychologists can provide information on common emotional and physical changes, and strategies for managing anxiety and low mood, poor sleep, night sweats, as well ideas for increasing self-care, exercise, lifestyle changes, and working out how to live in line with what’s most important to you. Strategies may help with concerns that show up at work, in relationships, or with intimacy, to improve your quality of life. For information on how our psychologists can help, please call (02) 9453 3037 or email info@headwayheallth.com.au.

REF. Ye M, Shou M, Zhang J, Hu B, Liu C, Bi C, Lv T, Luo F, Zhang Z, Liang S, Feng H, Qian C, Cao S, Liu Z. Efficacy of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2022 Feb;52(3):433-445. doi: 10.1017/S0033291721005407. Epub 2022 Jan 11. PMID: 35199638.